King Doerue was already a leader on the Purdue offense last season because he led the Boilermakers in carries and yards. But this spring, Doerue has added an element to his leadership repertoire.

With Zander Horvath off to the NFL, Doerue has expanded what he brings to the program, and it’s beyond what shows up in the box score. Though last year, Doerue got a dose of this kind of role when he had 135 carries for 530 yards and took on a larger role with the offense when Horvath missed 4 games with an injury.

“I am starting to see some leadership from him,” running backs coach Chris Barclay said, via the Lafayette Journal & Courier. “Now with Zander having moved on, he’s the most experienced guy in the room so he’s helping some other guys in the room.”

Doerue will be the lead back at a running back position that will include the likes of Dylan Downing, Sampson James, Tyrone Tracy, Devin Mockobee, Caleb Lahey, Kentrell Marks and Terence Thomas.

“I think I am the oldest guy in the room,” Doerue said. “I am trying to lead by example and bring the other guys along because at the end of the day, we are going to need everybody. … With Zander being hurt, unfortunately, I had to step up and keep us going and do what I needed to for us to win.”